BL T.O.W.--Ms. P--'Blended Learning has been the answer to really meet the needs...'

BL TEACHER OF THE WEEK

MS. PIROZZOLO

Ms. P on left with her CCAC students on scavenger hunt! Ms.P
is transforming high needs special education classes
with her blended learning station rotation model implementation!

Q. How long have you been teaching?

This is my 4th year of teaching.

Q. What grade or subject do you teach?

CCAC K-5

Q. How has your first quarter and part of the 2nd went with BL implementation?

My first quarter and part of 2nd quarter has gone very well! While I have tweaked some of the components of blended learning to fit my students' needs, it has been a great change in my classroom! Students have gotten the station rotations down and are enjoying the smaller groups! The technology programs such as Smarty Ants have been fantastic for my students as well!

Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?

Blended learning has changed my thoughts of meeting the needs of all my students. It has given me the tools to really differentiate my instruction on another level while fostering more independence for my students. With such a variety of grade levels and ability levels in my room, blended learning has been the answer to really meet the needs of ALL my students. 

Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? 

Differentiated. My students follow an adapted curriculum and have different standards than that of their same aged peers. With that being said, I've been able to implement blended learning techniques and procedures into my classroom on a level that is appropriate for my students and has helped me reach their individual needs more successfully!

Day 53--Making progress every day and having fun with friends

Day 53--School is a place where students need to make progress everyday, be successful, and have fun with their friends. Below are some highlights from today!

Day 52--Check out our Teachers--And yes there was school today also!

Dedicated and passionate teachers I believe missed the lessons in school when they had to learn how to tell time because they work as if there is no clock! Check out the highlights below and yes these teachers taught a full day with students!

Bates(Standing), Schultz to her left, Rossi, and Craven lead
a station rotation at UNCC. What a powerful station they led! 

As there peers were leading a session at UNCC,
McNeil is leading as Showbie session at HDES! 

HDES teacher were selected to panel of experts at UNCC
student teacher recruitment event on Blended
Learning! 

Congrats to Ms. Tracey named
Pearman Staff Member of the Month! 

Etheridge leads a responsive classroom session
at HDES! 

Day 51 Congrats Mrs. Bates!

Today, on Day 51, Mrs. Bates was selected by the Carolina Panthers as a finalist for their teacher of the year. She won 2 tickets to an upcoming game, a large basket of school supplies, and now is in the running for a $5,000 ultimate classroom prize. Mrs. Bates is a dedicated 1st grade teacher who places students first and does a great job reaching all learners to maximize their potential!

Mrs. Bates shares the news of being selected a finalist for Carolina Panthers Teacher of the Year! 

Day 50--Blended Learning is great for afternoon engagement!

On Day 50, I was able to do 5 walkthroughs after lunch. This is usually a very busy time of day and I find it as an administrator the most challenging time of the day to get into the classrooms due to so many activities and events occurring or having already occurred that needs immediate attention. This is also the time of day when teachers start to tire and students become less engaged, especially if you are still doing the lecture delivery model. This is why blended learning is so important and refreshing for both the students and teachers. Blended learning is the model that brings in engagement because of the small groups and stations being on a set time. The students use the technology adaptive programs to go at their own speed, place, pace and path. The guided teaching of the teacher focuses in on the needs of 4 or 5 students at a time instead of 25 in a whole group lesson. As I visited 3 fourth grade classes and 2 fifth grade classes, it was great seeing the teachers working in 5 different classes but with one common purpose. Below are highlights from the afternoon walkthroughs!

Ms. Hunter Blended Learning Math lesson! 

Ms. Schultz Blended learning Science Lesson! 

Mrs. Daye Blended Learning math lesson! 

Ms. Ellis Blended Learning Math lesson! 

Ms. Ellis Sciene lesson engages students! This is 20 minutes before dismissal! 

Ms. Rossi Blended Learning math lesson! 

Day 49 Excellent Reports

Below are some excellent reports I received today from two events we currently had at HDES. What a great way to start November as we are reminded to give thanks during this time of the year!

What a great impact Mrs. Young has made on HDES! 

 The first grade students at Hanford-Dole Elementary enjoyed the first Book Club of the year in the school's Media Center.  Our guest reader was Felecia Young, Hanford-Dole's new assistant principal.  She read the book, APPLES AND PUMPKINS, and also shared with the students how important reading was to her.   While reading the book, Mrs. Young asked the students critical level thinking questions to give them an opportunity to really process the reading material.    Hanford-Dole's Book Club is sponsored by grants from Target Stores, Schneider Electric, and CIS-Rowan.  Fran Simpson, Student Support Specialist with Comm. In Schools,  did a parent presentation on reading and writing to the parents as a follow-up on the book that was read.  Hanford-Dole and Communities In Schools are committed to engaging the parents in school activities to better prepare students and parents to work together with the school.

Note of Thanks from Parent

"I am so proud of the teachers and administration at my youngest daughter's school. These wonderful people take time out of their schedules to come give out candy and school supplies to the children that live in the projects here in East Spencer. Not to mention the cost of all the candy, cupcakes, and supplies. They have done this for the past 4 years. It's a wonderful thing they are doing and I am so grateful for each and every one of them."

BL T.O.W. 'BL keeps their minds going at all times...'

Mrs. Messenger(left) and Mrs. Crump(right) bring great,
engaging music and art lessons to HDES students! 

BLENDED LEARNING TEACHER OF THE WEEK : 

MRS. MESSENGER

Q. How long have you been teaching?

This is my 6th year teaching.

Q. What grade or subject do you teach?

I teach K-5 music.

Q. How has your first quarter went with BL implementation?

My first quarter of BL has been fun and the students have loved it! Students love rotating to different areas of the classroom learning about various concepts of music and at the same time, it meets the needs of all students.  It's a WIN WIN!

Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?

Seeing my students get excited about BL makes me excited as well.  It gives me the opportunity to walk around the classroom and observe student learning while it also gives students some responsibility in the classroom with independent stations. 

Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? 

Engaging.  Students are working together with their classmates in small groups, moving around to rotate, learning music concepts in different ways.  BL keeps their minds going at all times and when the students are hooked and interested, they're engaged.